The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) has signed an agreement with a grassroots group, One-Hectare-One Family (1H1F), to increase banana seedling production in Nigeria.
According to Mrs. Tony Omozuwa, spokesperson for the agency’s Director-General, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, the agreement is part of ongoing efforts to promote agricultural biotechnology and support rural development.
She explained that the partnership aims to use biotechnology to boost sustainable farming, encourage innovation, improve food security, and empower rural communities across the country.
The project supports 1H1F’s plan to give out one million banana seedlings to farmers in Niger State as part of its homestead farming scheme, in collaboration with the state government.
Prof. Mustapha said the partnership is an important step in solving farmers’ problems in getting good-quality seedlings and in improving agricultural productivity nationwide.
“With biotechnology, we want to empower communities, make food supply more reliable, create jobs, improve nutrition, and grow the economy,” Mustapha said. “This partnership will help meet the high demand for quality banana seedlings and support farmers in growing them successfully.”
The Chief Operating Officer of 1H1F, Onyaole Koku, said the collaboration will give farmers access to clean, disease-free planting materials.
Under the deal, 1H1F will upgrade NBRDA’s tissue culture laboratory, provide supplies, cover running costs, and hire technical staff.
NBRDA will offer scientific knowledge, access to its lab, quality control, and support for joint research projects.
Koku added that 1H1F will continue to give financial and material support to NBRDA in the future to help strengthen biotechnology research and development.
